Shopping for an Air Purifier to Eliminate Home Odors?
Look no further!
Odors are a common and annoying nuisance, whether they’re from cooking, pets, bathrooms, or any other common source, almost everyone struggles with them. But don’t worry, since you can now easily remove odors from your kitchen and home with an air purifier!
Along with keeping indoor air fresh, clean, and free from harmful bacteria and viruses, these units also excel at eliminating bad smells and odors.
But how do you select the best air purifier for odor control?
Keep reading to find out!
What’s In This Buying Guide
Contents of This Guide
This guide includes in-depth reviews on some of the best air purifiers for odor illumination. We also explain the benefits of buying an air purifier for odors and list a few key features to consider before making a purchase.
Lastly, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about these appliances, so you can make a confident purchase.
Best Air Purifiers for Odor Elimination
- 1Best for Bedrooms: BISSELL MYair 2780A
- 2Best for Pet Owners: Germ Guardian 4-in-1 AC4825E
- 3Best for Small Spaces: LEVOIT H132 Air Purifier
- 4Best for Kitchens: Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier
- 5Most Portable: Pure Enrichment PureZone
BISSELL MYair 2780A
- Best for Bedrooms
Filters
Pre-filter, Activated Carbon Filter, HEPA FilterCoverage Area
100 sq. ft.Particle Removal Rate
99.7%Sleep mode
YesSound Level
20-46 dB
Germ Guardian 4-in-1 AC4825E
- Best for Pet Owners
Filters
Pre-filter, Activated Carbon Filter, True HEPA Filter, UV-C light technologyCoverage Area
153 sq. ft.Particle Removal Rate
99.97%Sleep mode
NoSound Level
-
LEVOIT H132 Air Purifier
- Best for Small Spaces
Filters
Pre-filter, Activated Carbon Filter, True HEPA FilterCoverage Area
129 sq. ft.Particle Removal Rate
99.97%Sleep mode
NoSound Level
25-46 dB
Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier
- Best for Kitchens
Filters
Pre-filter, Activated Carbon Filter, True HEPA Filter, PlasmaWave technologyCoverage Area
360 sq. ft.Particle Removal Rate
99.97%Sleep mode
YesSound Level
27.8 dB
Pure Enrichment PureZone
- Most Portable
Filters
Pre-filter, Activated Carbon Filter, True HEPA Filter, UV-C light technologyCoverage Area
200 sq. ft.Particle Removal Rate
99.97%Sleep mode
YesSound Level
Less than 50 dB
1. Best for Bedrooms: BISSELL MYair 2780A
Although the BISSELL MYair 2780A is small, it still packs a lot of indoor air purifying power.
Boasting featuressuch as a HEPA filter, an activated carbon filter, and a pre-filter, the 3-in-1 model traps and eliminates 99.7% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, including dust, dander, pollen, and smoke.
Since the air purifier has 3 filtration technologies combined into a single filter, you won’t have to worry about purchasing 3 separate filters every time.
Pros
- Includes an activated carbon and True HEPA filter
- Minimalist and modernistic design
- It comes with timers and a filter replacement indicator
- Low maintenance cost
- Blue night light
- Easy to use and maintain
Cons
- It does not have a medium fan speed setting
- Low space coverage
Our Review
The BISSELL MYair 2780A is a compact air purifier that you can easily place on either your kitchen floor or your countertop. The model features a 3-in-1 filter, including an activated carbon filter and a True HEPA filter, to remove both cooking aromas and odors and particulates from the air.
The 2780A also boasts a 360-degree air intake, ensuring better and more effective air circulation. Its activated carbon filter removes pet odors, volatile organic compounds, smoke, and other common household odors, while its filter change indicator informs you when it’s time to replace the filter.
The MYair unit operates at pleasant sound levels. Its high fan speed is perfect for white noise, while its sleep and low mode are ideal for those who need complete silence to fall asleep. You also have the option to switch the night light off or on, depending on your sleeping preferences.
This BISSELL model’s small size means you can easily place it almost anywhere you want. Its whisper-quiet operation and optional night light create a peaceful sleeping environment, making the air purifier perfect for bedrooms.
You can also place the 2780A near litter boxes or dog beds to reduce hair, pet dander, and odors. It works well in kids’ rooms, dorm rooms, and home offices as well.
With so many outstanding features, the BISSELL MYair 2780A is perfect for use in personal spaces. Along with being super portable, easy to use, and minimalistic, it also gets rid of odors and allergens, making it deserving of a place on our list of top picks.
Specs
Filters: Pre-filter, Activated Carbon Filter, HEPA Filter
Coverage Area: 100 sq. ft.
Fan Speed Options: 3
Weight: 4.63 lbs.
Dimensions: 8 x 8 x 12 inches
2. Best for Pet Owners: Germ Guardian 4-in-1 AC4825E
The Germ Guardian AC4825E is one of the best air purifiers for odor elimination available today.
Its True HEPA filter filters odors, traps allergens, and kills viruses and germs, while its optional UV-C light ensures clean, refreshing air in your home.
Pros
- Eliminates dust, odors, allergens, smoke, and disease-causing viruses
- Its compact size makes it perfect for smaller spaces
- Energy Star certified, and AHAM verified
- Energy-efficient
- Adjustable speed settings
- Quiet operation
- It comes with a 3-year limited warranty
Cons
- Not suitable for larger rooms
- Additional UV-C light bulb and filter replacement costs
Our Review
The Germ Guardian AC4825E boasts an activated charcoal filter that helps remove cigarette smoke, cooking odors, pet odors, and any other unwanted smells that might be lingering in your house.
The HEPA filter in this 4-in-1 model eliminates up to 99.97% of pollen, harmful germs, pet dander, mold spores, dust, and other contaminants measuring 0.3 microns. Meanwhile, its UV-C light gets rid of airborne viruses, including rhinovirus, influenza, and staph.
The UV-C light further uses Titanium Dioxide to eliminate VOCs, while the pre-filter traps pet hair, dust, and other large airborne particles to extend the HEPA filter’s life.
The Germ Guardian AC4825E also comes with 3-speed settings, allowing you to choose the speed that best suits the level of contamination in your home.
For instance, the highest speed setting is perfect for spaces highly contaminated with pollen, bacteria, dust, bird dander, odors, and viruses. It also delivers a whisper-quiet operation on its lowest setting, ensuring you enjoy a peaceful, restful night.
This Germ Guardian model is perfect for pet owners, especially those with birds, because it gets rid of all the dander, ensuring that you and your family only breathe clean, fresh air. It is also ideal for medium to large rooms, and its compact and slim design allows you to place it in even the smallest of spaces.
The AC4825E is also AHAM verified and tested for its ability to remove tobacco smoke, dust, and pollen through CADR calculations. It boasts a CADR rating of 99 for smoke, 118 for dust, and 125 for pollen. It also boasts an Energy Star certification and meets all the strict energy efficiency guidelines.
All in all, the Germ Guardian AC4825E’s 4-in-1 filter design efficiently targets allergens, pollen, bacteria, odors, and dander in your home. Its excellent features, sleek design, and effective filtering make it perfect for pet owners looking for an air purifier to remove odors from their homes.
Specs
Filters: Pre-filter, Activated Carbon Filter, True HEPA Filter, UV-C light technology
Coverage Area: 153 sq. ft.
Fan Speed Options: 3
Weight: 8.55 Pounds
Dimensions: 10.25 x 6.75 x 21.5 inches
3. Best for Small Spaces: LEVOIT H132 Air Purifier
The LEVOIT H132 is one of the best air purifiers for odor control available in the market today.
Its small size and 129 square feet coverage area make it perfect for targeting odors in small spaces, such as cooking smells and aromas in the kitchen or the odors of your cat’s litter box in the bathroom.
Pros
- Effectively eliminates dust, smoke, odors, and other allergens
- Perfect for people suffering from asthma and allergies
- It kills disease-causing viruses and bacteria in the air
- Suitable for dorm rooms, offices, and other small to medium-sized rooms
- Night light for relaxing and soothing sleep
- Filter replacement indicator informs you when it’s time to change the filter
- Its ultra-quiet operation makes it perfect for bedrooms and nurseries
- High-quality and long-lasting design
Cons
- It might not be ideal for large rooms.
Our Review
The LEVOIT H132 features a 3-stage filtration system that comprises an Activated Carbon Filter, a HEPA filter, and a UV-C light. This combination allows the unit to capture pet hair, smoke, odors, large dust particles, allergens, dander, mold, and 99.97% of airborne contaminants measuring 0.3 microns.
It boasts 3 adjustable speed settings for different personal needs and air quality. It also operates at 25 dB on the lowest setting, making it perfect for nighttime use.
Its night light also offers two brightness settings to help you see in the dark. You can even switch off the light completely if you prefer sleeping in complete darkness. Since this model is 100% ozone-free, UL-certified, and ETL-listed, it’s perfectly safe to use as well.
This high-efficiency Levoit air purifier circulates the air in your room over 4 times an hour for rapid purification, while its contemporary design and unique size make it suitable for small and medium-sized rooms, such as dorms and offices.
This H132 also comes with a built-in filter replacement indicator that informs you when it’s time to change the filter. It’s advisable to replace the filter after every 6-8 months, depending on your use and home’s air quality.
The unit’s sleek and compact design further allows you to place it on the kitchen counter to reduce cooking smells or on your bedside table to get fresh, clean air while you’re sleeping.
If you own cats, you can keep the H132 near the litter box to get rid of the cat pee smell that reeks up your place, or you can place it in the living room where your dogs spend most of their day.
The LEVOIT H132 is easy to use as well. Its electronic touch controls beep when you use them, and the purifier saves your settings when you switch it off. This means it restores its last settings automatically once you turn it on again.
Filter replacement is a little different for the H132, but it’s still very simple. You just need to turn the device upside-down, rotate and open the cover, and then replace the old filter with a new one.
With a practical and compact design, the LEVOIT H132 is an excellent purchase for those looking for something simple for their small bedroom or office space.
It’s not as effective in larger areas and doesn’t have as many features as other more expensive models, but its True HEPA filter and 3-stage filtration system make it perfect for targeted elimination of certain odors in your home.
Specs
Filters: Pre-filter, Activated Carbon Filter, True HEPA Filter
Coverage Area: 129 sq. ft.
Fan Speed Options: 3
Weight: 6.5 pounds
Dimensions: 7.9 x 7.9 x 12.6 inches
4. Best for Kitchens: Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier
Designed to capture pollen, smoke, VOCs, household odors, dust, pet dander, and mold spores, the Winix 5500-2 air purifier is ideal for almost every home environment.
It’s CADR rated by AHAM for 360 square feet, making it perfect for medium to large kitchens, bedrooms, and living rooms.
Pros
- Plasmawave and AOC carbon filter help eliminate odor
- VOC sensor detects volatilized kitchen odors
- Washable activated carbon filter
- True HEPA filter removes airborne particles
- AHAM Verified and Energy Star certified
- The sleek design allows you to keep it close to the wall
- Plasmawave gets rid of gaseous pollutants
Cons
- Expensive filter replacements
- Turbo mode is a bit loud
Our Review
The Winix 5500-2 features a 3-stage filtration system that consists of a True HEPA filter, a washable AOC Carbon Filter, and Winix PlasmaWave technology.
Its True HEPA filter traps and eliminates 99.97% of airborne allergens and contaminants as small as 0.3 microns, including pet dander, dust mites, and pollen.
The washable AOC carbon filter removes household odors, while the PlasmaWave works as a permanent filter and breaks down chemical vapors, allergens, odors, and other pollutants without producing any harmful ozone.
This Winix model further boasts built-in air quality sensors that measure and automatically adjust the fan speed according to the contamination level of the air. It also comes with an LED air quality indicator that changes color in real-time based on the air quality of your home.
The 5500-2 has a CADR for rooms measuring 360 square feet in size, making it perfect for family rooms, kitchens, and kids’ bedrooms.
The unit also comes with a Sleep Mode that turns on automatically when the device detects a darkened room, ensuring quiet, energy-efficient, and continuous operation. The purifier changes back to Auto Mode once it detects light.
All in all, with a smoke CADR rating of 232 cfm and a VOC sensor that detects odorous pollutants, the Winix 5500-2 is undoubtedly one of the best air purifiers for kitchens available today.
Specs
Filters: Pre-filter, Activated Carbon Filter, True HEPA Filter, PlasmaWave technology
Coverage Area: 360 sq. ft.
Fan Speed Options: 4
Weight: 15.4 pounds
Dimensions: 15 x 8.2 x 23.6 inches
5. Most Portable: Pure Enrichment PureZone
If you want a good and decent odor-eliminating air purifier without spending a lot of money, the Pure Enrichment PureZone is the best option for you.
Although it effectively purifies the air in small bedrooms, it just doesn’t have the power needed to clean spaces larger than 200 square feet.
Pros
- UV-C light and True HEPA filters deliver an excellent performance
- Easy to use
- Beautiful and eye-catching finish
- 3 timer settings and 3 fan speeds help save energy
- Eliminates disease-causing microorganisms
- It comes with a 5-year warranty
Cons
- Small coverage area
- Low CADR rating
Our Review
The Pure Enrichment PureZone features a 3-in-1 filter technology that captures and eliminates 99.97% of particles measuring 0.3 microns. It safely sanitizes and cleans the air, traps pollen and dust, and kills bacteria, fungi, viruses, and germs so that you enjoy improved air quality.
With a CADR of 80 CFM, the unit effectively filters the air in offices or homes, measuring 200 square feet in size. This makes the PureZone air purifier perfect for use in bedrooms, offices, living rooms, nurseries, and other areas where clean and germ-free air is needed at all times.
This Pure Enrichment model features smart technology as well. It comes with a filter reset indicator that informs you when it’s time to change the filter and an optional timer that helps extend filter life with preset run times.
The manufacturer also recommends replacing the true HEPA filter and activated carbon filter every 6 months with genuine Pure Enrichment ones for a longer and more effective operation.
The PureZone purifier also helps remove harmful airborne irritants and pollutants that can worsen your allergy symptoms. It further combats seasonal allergies by effectively destroying cigarette smoke, pet dander, dust, pollen, and other airborne contaminants.
Weighing just under 8 pounds, the Pure Enrichment PureZone is very portable and easy to transport. Its convenient built-in handle allows you to easily move it from room to room, while its modern and unique design makes it perfect for use in almost every room.
Specs
Filters: Pre-filter, Activated Carbon Filter, True HEPA Filter, UV-C light technology
Coverage Area: 200 sq. ft.
Fan Speed Options: 3
Weight: 7.7 Pounds
Dimensions: 10.8 x 6.9 x 12.1 inches
Best Air Purifiers for Odor Elimination: Buying Guide
Why Buy an Air Purifier for Odor Removal?
If you want to remove odors and clean the air in your home at the same time, you should get a quality air purifier.
Although air purifiers for odor removal are more expensive than scented oils or candles, they have a much longer life and actually clean and purify the air instead of just covering up the odors.
Following are some reasons why you should buy an air purifier for odor removal:
Eliminates the smell of smoke
Everyone hates the smell of smoke in their homes, whether it’s from a weekend campout or the occasional cigarette. Unlike most other scents, this odor is extremely difficult to remove, especially if it permeates your drapes, carpet, and furniture.
If you want to reduce or even get rid of the smell of smoke in your home, getting an odor-removing air purifier is an excellent first step.
Gets rid of pet odor
Even if you bathe your pets thrice a day, they will inevitably stink. Dogs, cats, and all other furry friends are smelly animals by nature that constantly shed fur and spread unpleasant odors throughout your home.
However, high-quality air purifiers have filters that remove pet dander and fur and eliminate odors from litter boxes and pet beds.
Not only will these units make your home smell fresher and cleaner, but they will also get rid of airborne pollutants and contaminants that irritate those with asthma and allergies.
Removes food smells
An air purifier can help reduce or remove food smells in your kitchen, whether it’s from a leftover fish dinner or from the occasionally burned chicken breast. The unit can also eliminate the strong scent of spices that usually lingers after you cook delicious curry.
If the smell of food has permeated throughout your home, you should turn on the air purifier on the highest setting to quickly clean and freshen up the air.
Eliminates garbage odor
If you’ve ever experienced the smell of day-old garbage, especially old vegetables, and rotten meat, then you know how difficult it is to remove the odor from your home. Simply removing the trash bag and washing out the bin is not enough to do the trick.
Rather than using an air freshening spray to try to cover up the smell, it’s better to use an air purifier to trap and eliminate the smelly particles that escape from your trash can. This will drastically improve the quality of the air in your home.
Feature to Consider: Air Purifiers for Odors
Purchasing an air filter, especially one that specifically removes odors, can be a difficult and confusing decision. To help ensure you choose a unit that best suits your needs, we explain some key features you should consider before making a purchase:
Filter type and quality
There are 3 types of filters you should look for when purchasing an odor removal air purifier:
Activated Carbon Filter
Activated carbon filters are the best materials for removing odor molecules. They’re highly porous and can trap even the smells you’re habituated to.
These filters absorb odor particles and disperse fresh and clean air through the other side. They eliminate all types of odors, making them perfect for removing the smells of mold, garbage, chemical vapors, pets, cooking, and paint.
HEPA Filter
Although most high-end air purifiers have a HEPA filter, it’s important to remember that this filter is ineffective at removing odor molecules. Instead, a HEPA filter is designed to eliminate solid particles like pet dander, bacteria, dust, visible smoke, and pollen.
However, it’s also important to remember that some solid particles, like tobacco smoke and mold spores, emit odors, making a high-quality HEPA filter an essential component for an effective odor-eliminating air purifier.
HEPA filters use a dense mesh material to trap solid particles and help reduce odors from spreading throughout your house. So, if you’re looking for an air purifier that reduces the smell of smoke in your house, it’s better to choose one with a HEPA filter.
Ionizer
Some air purifiers come with an activated carbon filter, a HEPA filter, and an ionizer. An ionizer is an optional feature that boosts your air purifier’s efficiency.
It also disperses negatively charged ions into the air so that they latch onto contaminants and weigh them down, making them fall to the floor or stick to solid surfaces.
Ionized vapor molecules cannot circulate throughout your house, so they don’t spread their odors. However, since these particles and contaminants are still technically in the room, the smells might come back if you turn off the ionizer.
It’s important to remember that an ionizer is not an essential filter but a completely optional one. The only key filters you need to remove odors from your kitchen and home are an activated carbon filter and a HEPA filter.
CADR Rating and AHAM Clarification
The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers or AHAM measures the efficacy of an air purifier with a standard called the CADR or the Clean Air Delivery Rate.
The CADR is basically a measure of the volume of filtered and purified air that an air purifier delivers, with separate levels for pollen, dust, and smoke. The higher the CADR, the faster the air purifier cleans the air.
It’s advisable to choose an air purifier with an AHAM Verified mark. This verification is usually mentioned on the back or the side of the unit’s packaging.
It’s also advisable to choose an air purifier with a CADR that’s equal to at least two-thirds of the area of the room.
For instance, if your room measures 10 feet by 15 feet, it will have an area of 150 square feet. So, you should try to select an air purifier with a CADR rating of 100 or more.
Efficiency
In order to get the most out of your air purifier, you’ll have to run it almost constantly, so make sure you factor in the efficiency and electricity costs before making your purchase.
Although we recommend choosing an Energy Star-certified model, it’s still important to remember that each unit consumes a different amount of power, depending on its operating fan speed.
Some air purifiers also come with ‘eco’ modes that turn off the devices or put them on standby once their sensors don’t detect any airborne pollutants, making them incredibly energy-efficient.
Weight
If you live in a small space or apartment, choosing a heavy and large air purifier is strongly unadvised, as it will take up a lot of space. It’s better to opt for a sleek and practically shaped model.
Portability
Some models are lighter and more portable than others. You can place small air purifiers on a shelf or desk and move them easily from room to room.
On the other hand, it’s better to keep heavier and larger air purifiers stationary or go for ones that have casters for portability.
If you’re planning on using your air purifier in your bedroom during the night, your home office in the day, and your living room during the evening, it’s better to choose a smaller unit or one that comes with wheels.
All in all, make sure you find a model that perfectly balances portability and size if you’re going to use one air purifier for your entire home.
Coverage Area
It’s important to check how much space the air purifier will cover. Most models have a maximum room coverage limit, so make sure the limit is suitable for the size of your home or kitchen before making a purchase.
Warranty
If you’re planning to purchase an odor-removing air purifier for long-term use, remember to check the product warranty. Make sure you get a clear idea about whether the fan, motor, and other electrical components are covered with a warranty so that you don’t have to deal with issues in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an Ionizer or a HEPA filter better for odor removal?
Although an ionizer can help remove odors, it’s not the most effective filter for the task. It’s better to opt for an air purifier with a HEPA filter and an activated carbon filter because ionizers don’t remove contaminants and odor particles from the room.
Can an air purifier help reduce musty smell?
Yes, an air purifier with an activated carbon filter can help reduce the musty smells often emanating from enclosed spaces. The filter traps the odor particles released by mold, which is the main reason behind this specific smell. Just make sure you check whether the filter is clogged up and needs a replacement once every month.
Can odor-eliminating air purifiers get rid of smoke smell?
Using an air purifier with an activated carbon filter can help eliminate the smell of smoke in the air. Along with removing smoke odors, these units can also capture and eliminate many dangerous chemical components and contaminants.
Final Verdict: What Is the Best Odor-removing Air Purifier Sold Today?
With so many different models available today, choosing the best odor-removing air purifier is no easy task.
But if you need something for your bedroom, you should opt for the BISSELL MYair 2780A Air Purifier, and if you have pets, the Germ Guardian 4-in-1 AC4825E Air Purifier is your best bet.
The Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier is perfect for kitchens, while the LEVOIT H132 Air Purifier is most suitable for small spaces.
Lastly, if you just need something small and portable, then the Pure Enrichment PureZone is the way to go!
